Morning journal and courier., 1887-12-15
TEN THOUSAND PEOPLE.

The Grand Army Fair Most Auspi-
 ciOusly opened Last EvenIng-NeRrly
 Eight Thousand Tickets Taken
 Three Thousand People Turned
 Away-The Addresses A Notable
 Scene -A A Brilliant Success - The
 Booths, DecOratiOnss Etc.
 With great enthusiasm prevailing, seldom equalled, never surpassed in the city. was opened the Grand Army fair at the Union armory on Meadow street last night. It was a success beyond the most sanguine expecta- tions. The crowd was enormous. All the horse car lines were taxed to convey the people, and that there was a crowd at the fair those who were present there can answer for themselves. It was large and a notable gathering and the scene was one long to be remembered. The throng was so large that little progress could be made at time, and elbowing was more or less of feature. But so enchanting was everything else about them. They didn't care if they were fearfully tired after the close of the evenings enter tainment, for they had seen one of the grand est scenes ever presented to the public in New Haven. The fair jumped at once into success. It was immediately popular with every person as he entered the large armory. Long before the hour set for the opening did crowds of people gather around the front en- trance. During the day nearly all the mem bers of the committees worked while on the run, and at first it was thought utter i'm possibility to get the fair entirely dressed, with all it's auxiliaries, for the opening hour. Even by o'clock confusion reigned supreme. The booths were all up, but many of them had not yet received the garments which were to make them so beautiful and bexitch- ing. The bodies of the booths, or rather all the woodwork, were constructed by J. H. Mcdonald and his coterie of workmen. All day yesterday, and in fact for the whole week, it verify seemed as if tLey had wings, so fast did they work going from one booth to another.
 At five minutes of seven last night the big gong rang out five times This was the signal for all the occupants of the booths to be in their places. There was no need of the ring ing of the gong, for they were all there be- foreh and. It was the opening night and there was certain newness and attractive ness about the affair which drew the booth tenders magneticaliy to their own particular booths.
 The town clock sung out in cheerful tones the hour of seven and the big wooden doors of the armory were thrown open. The crowd began to surge in and the two ticket offices, one on each side of the entrance, seemed in
 
 people for tickets. Click, click, click went the silver quarters, halves and dollars at the box, and tramp, tramp, tramp went the con- stant tread into the interior of the armory until it was well-nigh filled to overhowing. There was every convenience for everybody and nobody had any reason to complain, only regretting that there was not twice as much room. There were passageways to the ladies' toilet rooms, of which there were several, and to the ladies' dressing and cloak room, all to the right of the main entrance. Like in circus, one standing at the entrance cannot see the show inside. An obstruction has been made to the view from the entrance in the shape of background for two booths Turn to the left or turn to the right as you get far enough in so that you are under the gallery, and proceeding few steps the dark and forlorn scene will be changed to one of grandeur and msgnifcence. The color ev- erywhere, the decorations and the faces to be seen, are restful to the eye. They at once become charmed and want to look more and more and deeper and deeper into the many beauties which the place contains.
 The flag decorations are by McClunie, of Hartford. That work was all done before yesterday, aud we'll that it was. The armo- " overhead is one mass of flags, arranged Tn a manner edifying and artistic. The red, white and blue stripes are looped from the top of the building, running the whole length of the center to the sides Around the walls are hung the pictures of the various generals of the late war.
 The pagoda stands near the center of the armory and takes up much space. The body is built of wood and painted brown, while the top is made of bunting of red and white, trimmed with blue. A lattice work covered with vines extends from the second story. Two rows of flags representing the various battles of the war are suspended around the pagoda. The second story of the pagoda is occupied by the band. An electric light gives to the pagoda a brilliancy which it would otherwise not have. Around the out the display of gifts for season ticket holders. There are carriages, hanging lamps, furniture, stoves and bedroom sets, which the spectators cannot touch because of heavy wire strung between them and the articles. Fastened to two of the posts which support the overhanging lattice part is an ex- tension which serves as four voting booths.
 At the entrance the first booth to be seen is the one representing January. This shows the looks of an old-fashioned Dutch inn. It is small house with little window project ing from the top. Snow covers the roof. The windows have wintry appearance The decorations are all evergreen. On the counter for sale are sleighs, and hung up are skates of all kinds. The furniture is old and unique. In the corner is an old Dutch clock. Woolen goods and cold weather articles are sold at this booth. The booth is in charge of Mrs. W. Schlein, Mrs. Conrad Hofacker. Mrs. Joseph Sleicher, Mrs. Herman Trappee and other ladies from the German churches and from Won Steinwehr post.
 The efforts to make the February booth attractive have been successful.
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